Mission life: THE KUKMIN DAILY

South Sudan Soccer Players: A Surprise Meeting with President Moon Jae-in

On September 5, members of the national children’s soccer team of the Republic of South Sudan visited Cheongwadae (the Blue House) and met President Moon Jae-in. The two-month-old team had just won their first international game, at the 12th Korea U-15 Soccer Games in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang-do. At the Blue House, the young players performed as a choir, singing “Amazing Grace” and “We Shall Overcome,” which they had rehearsed in between soccer practice sessions. President Moon and the staff applauded the boys’ inspiring music.

This visit to Cheongwadae came about through the request of Missionary Im Heung-se. He said, “Right after we arrived in Korea, I wrote an email to Cheongwadae to see if a visit would be possible. I wanted to encourage the players and give them hope. Back home, they practiced barefooted, with deflated footballs. This visit to Korea will be an unforgettable memory for them… Please continue to cheer for these young players from South Sudan.”